Sun Newspapers, 2/10/2005 edition, reports on our Putting Family First Night in an article titled City, school district plan family night

Now, with the cooperation of the city of Plymouth and the Wayzata School District, Monday, March 7, has been declared Family Night in Plymouth. Activities will be cancelled and teachers will be encouraged not to give homework. Businesses such as the Virginia Luoma Dance Studio also are supporting Family Night, Carlson said. Members of the Plymouth Youth Advisory Council gave their support to Family Night in a recommendation to the City Council. While members enjoy the activities they’ve chosen, they also value family time.

“For sure, I’m busy most every night of the week after school and into the evenings,” said Janet Li, a senior at Wayzata. “I do enjoy the activities. They keep me busy, and I like to be busy. “I usually get some time with my family every day, but Family Night will have no activities so I can spend the whole evening with my parents.”

Noting there are nights when he feels a little bit overextended, Patrick Heffner, a junior at Wayzata, said Family Night is a good idea and a way “to stop for a time and just talk to my family.” However, activities are important to him. “I enjoy it all, and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it,” he said.

Heather Gaudette, a junior at Wayzata, has mixed emotions about activities – feeling overwhelmed at times but enjoying what she does so much she wouldn’t want to eliminate anything. Heather said there always is family time at her home, but Family Night will be “a night to really do nothing and at the same time do stuff with your family.”

“One night won’t really change anyone’s life, but it will give families a chance to spend the night together,” said Barbara Carlson, co-founder of Putting Family First

Posted by Susan at 2/10/2005 01:18:46 PM | Link